After several failed attempts, my husband and I boarded a train at London Bridge and got off at Wandsworth Common, and finally discovered what makes Chez Bruce one of London's 'best loved' restaurants.

Probably because I can count the females on my floor with one hand, my attention is focused on the males in the office. And until recently, I thought I took care of myself. Now I find that I am being put to shame every day by the men in the office.

Tucked away like a local's secret off of Chiswick High Road, Sam's occupies the interior of a reclaimed paper factory, a bright, modernist space containing both a bar and a brasserie with discrete tables for two as well as larger tables for bigger groups.

Until now I have wildly resisted. You can take the make-up and the skirts away but you’ve got to give a girl her shoes. And heels are my thing. But last week I read an article that said “powerful-women wear flat shoes”. Right, I thought, I might give this flat thing a go.

There are some days when I want to climb the corporate ladder to success quicker than Brady Dougan, and other days when a snake crosses my path and I become desperate to join my friends for Pimms o’clock. Shame - just when I was doing so well.